Seagate on Tuesday enhanced its customer storage system builder channel program with a new Seagate Cloud Builder Alliance that specifically targets new engineering and marketing resources at partners building cloud storage solutions.

The Seagate Cloud Builder Appliance began with Seagate’s realization that partners building storage system for cloud applications were dealing with different business requirements than storage systems builders in general, said Mark Wojtasiak, senior manager of cloud product marketing for the Cupertino, Calif.-based hard drive and SSD vendor.

"The cloud is different," Wojtasiak said. "We've been working to better understand the market and the needs of cloud service providers. Cloud service providers build things differently. So, we want to look at what we can do from the system level to the device level to solve the needs of the cloud."

For example, Wojtasiak said, cloud service providers are talking to Seagate about what types of storage systems are best for cloud applications or for streaming video.

"There are higher workload stresses, or different environmental considerations, than with non-cloud storage," he said. "We can take this information to our system builders."

Seagate is initially working with a small group of 40 to 50 storage system builder partners worldwide, including such companies as Quebec-based Ciara Technologies; Minnetonka, Minn.-based Intequus; Chesterfield, Ohio-based NuCloud Global; San Jose, Calif.-based Supermicro; Fremont, Calif.-based Xyratex; and Secaucus, N.J.-based ZT Systems.

The company plans to extend the reach of its Seagate Cloud Builder Alliance to other custom storage partners over time, as well as to cloud service providers and other cloud technology partners, Wojtasiak said.

"There's lots of customization going on in the cloud," he said. "There are a lot of non-branded, open solutions. We decided that if we need to invest in solutions using our products, we need to look at how to take them to customers. So, we're looking at what kind of partners we need. We will look to build a partner ecosystem."